Race to the bottom
The comment about Astar pilots leading the race to the bottom is worth discussion. Before I proceed though I want everyone to know that I am an Astar pilot, however I have no issue, none, with this discussion. Frankly it is my opinion that this is precisely the kind(s) of thing that we, as a profession, need to be discussing.
That said I also believe that the subject of B scales and concessions, and frankly, much of what we talk about, are the manifestations of our professions deeper more vexing issue, which is…us. There is not a day, not and hour, that goes by that we don’t engage in the activity of “being our own worst enemy.” We vilify one another, we level accusations at one another, and not surprisingly, we have adopted this holier than thou attitude where we expect some OTHER pilot group to take a stand…alone…on behalf of the entire profession. We’re even righteous and indignant with respect to our expectations about OTHER pilot groups, they are always the no good guilty ones that “lead the race to the bottom” or take away my flying.
If we truly want to level the playing field, when it comes to pay, then shouldn't pay rates and work rules be universal, same pay/same rules for the same equipment...regardless of company? If they were our management wouldn’t have any reason to come to us and ask for us to work for less, or work more for the same money. Moreover, we would have no reason to consider their request. Unfortunately that is not the world in which we live.
Given the state of the industry and the realities in which we live and work, another, and even better solution concerning our situation, might be to ask other pilot groups to simply say no to any DHL flying unless their pay rates and work rules are the equivalent or greater than are the Astar rates. Of course I know that is not going to happen, I only use it to sight the challenge that confronts every pilot group; how does one stand up to management in this environment…and do it alone?
Unfortunately the race to the bottom is something that no single pilot group can stop. Sure, it can "take one for the Gipper" so to speak, but until ALL pilots flying for ALL companies, regardless of union affiliation chose to act collectively then the race to the bottom will always challenge our profession. But doesn’t this indeed beg the most important question?—Is this kind of unity really possible?
Regardless of the answer to that question I do know this: Until we rise as one, until that day arrives, we are all destined to fight our own fights, largely ALONE.